Cost of Living in West Athens, CA

Population 9,064 · California · Data vintage 2023

177
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing in West Athens is priced well above national norms — a median of $666,000, roughly 118% above the US figure — typical of the coastal premium that California. At 11.6%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located <5 miles southeast of Inglewood, West Athens falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 11% lower than Inglewood's $744,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 218
Rent 115

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in West Athens

The median home value in West Athens is $666,100 — 118% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,506/month, 15% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,750/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. The climate averages highs of 72.0°F and lows of 57.0°F. Overall, West Athens has a cost of living index of 177 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 77% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$666,100
118% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$736,710
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
15% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
36.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 58.3%
Renter-occupied 41.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,506
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,120/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.7 min
17% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
65.4%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
4.7%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
13.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$77,750
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,132
Unemployment Rate
11.6%
141% above avg
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Labor Force Participation
60.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.9%
Graduate degree 9.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.5
Male median age 31.4
Female median age 36.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.0°F
Avg Low
57.0°F
Annual Precip
11.8"
40° 50° 60° 70° 80° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 676768707173777979767266
Low °F 495153555862656565605449
Precip" 2.672.961.670.600.290.000.020.000.170.480.722.19

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 67 — Moderate
11.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
203
PM2.5 days
150
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in West Athens, CA?

West Athens has a cost index of 177 (100 = national average). It is 77% above the national average.

What is average rent in West Athens, CA?

The median gross rent in West Athens is $1,506 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in West Athens?

The median home value in West Athens is $666,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in West Athens?

The median household income in West Athens is $77,750 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in West Athens, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in West Athens is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is West Athens, CA affordable?

West Athens is above average in cost of living, with an index of 177 — about 77% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in West Athens?

West Athens has average high temperatures of 72.0°F and average lows of 57.0°F. Annual precipitation is 11.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

West Athens at a Glance

Population
9,064
Median Income
$77,750
Home Value
$666,100
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
Unemployment
11.6%
Avg High Temp
72.0°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in California →
🗺️ County data for California

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs